2019 Mercedes-AMG GT4

AMG GT with four doors? Yes please!

AMG might be responsible for Mercedes’ most-powerful and appealing models, but the high-performance brand has yet to use its full potential as a car manufacturer. Sure, the Affalterbach-based division brought us the awesome SLS AMG, and more recently, the AMG GT, but it hasn’t developed more than one stand-alone vehicle at a time. With rumors that AMG is pondering a sedan that’s not based on an existing Mercedes model, the brand’s current lineup will soon expand to include a second fully AMG-made product.

The company’s plans to develop a high-performance four-door became more than obvious at the 2017 Geneva Auto Show, where Mercedes-Benz unveiled the AMG GT concept. The show car also confirms that the sedan will be based on the AMG GT in terms of design, but still feature some of the more traditional Mercedes cues seen on the regular sedans. In all, the concept is pretty much a mash up between the AMG GT sports car and the CLS four-door coupe. Also, the fact that the concept’s design isn’t too wild means that the production model could be very similar. The prototypes that were spotted on public roads in 2017 confirm just that.

Spy Shots

December 29, 2017 – Playing in the Snow

We’ve been over these shots with a fine-toothed comb, and nothing has really changed since the GT4’s last outing. The only real noticeable difference is that this prototype is wearing round exhaust outlets as opposed to the square units seen previously. This indicates that this specific prototype is powered by a smaller drivetrain setup that is likely a combination of an electric motor, battery, and six-cylinder engine. That means that Mercedes is likely done testing the V-8 models and is now looking to fine tune its entry-level version prior to the car’s big debut. We’re expecting to see a debut sometime in 2018.

September 25, 2017 - Mercedes-AMG GT4 reveals its interior

August 22, 2017 - Mercedes AMG GT4 starts dropping camouflage

May 8, 2017 - Mercedes AMG GT4 begins testing session

Exterior

The GT4 will be just as slick as the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A7, so look for a sporty, low-slung four-door

As you can see in the rendering above, I’m very confident that the AMG sedan will essentially be a four-door version of the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car, but with the kind of sleek elegance you get with the CLS. You can’t see that very much on the early prototypes, which were mules based on the E-Class, but the most recent version (the one with light green flames), confirms just that. All told, the end result will be just as slick as the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A7, so look for a sporty, low-slung four-door.

The nose will bear a close resemblance to the AMG GT sports car, especially the grille and the headlamps. But while the grille will most likely be identical to the coupe, the headlamps should take a less aggressive form, but keep their slender and angled design. Below, there are big intakes on each side and a big splitter in the middle. The more expensive versions should have plenty of carbon-fiber trim here.

The race-inspired diffuser of the coupe appears to have been replaced with a milder version

Onto the sides, we designed the GT4 as a slightly sleeker version of the CLS, because that’s exactly what the spy shots suggest. The roof sits lower, the rear windscreen has a smaller angle relative to the beltline, while the decklid is shorter. The shorter wheelbase and the exclusive wheels should also help set this AMG sedan apart from the new CLS.

Around back, look for Mercedes to keep most of the design of the concept car, and the test vehicle confirms that it will get extra thin taillights as seen on the AMG GT sports car. The race-inspired diffuser appears to have been replaced with a milder version, while the large exhaust pipe in the middle made way for a quad layout with two outlets on each side.

Interior

*Note: Mercedes-AMG GT interior pictured

Much like its exterior, the sedan's interior should mimic the AMG GT's from the front seats onward.

After several months since our paparazzi caught the first mule on the go, they finally got a good shot of the interior. And the dashboard appears to be identical to the E-Class. This isn’t surprising given that the AMG GT4 will share underpinnings with the midsize sedan, but I’m sure it’s just a temporary thing. While the E-Class has a gorgeous interior (arguably the best looking and best equipped in its class if you ask me), the GT4 needs something unique in order to stand out. So while it may share a few cues with other Mercs, most of the layout should be different.

All told, much like its exterior, the sedan’s interior should mimic the AMG GT’s from the front seats onward. We could see some of the same gorgeous "aviation design" theme with its wide, wing-like dashboard and center-mounted, spotlight-style vents to sit in front of the driver and front passenger, separated by the motorsport-inspired center console and its V-8-like layout for the AMG Drive Unit controls.

The sporty and luxurious theme would continue behind the front seats, although legroom and headroom might be a bit cramped for taller adults. On the other hand, the numerous connectivity features and access to the car’s infotainment system should make trips enjoyable for rear passengers nonetheless.

Drivetrain

Motivation will be provided by the bi-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 in the AMG GT coupe

The borrowing process from the AMG GT sports car will continue under the GT4’s hood, with motivation to be provided by the bi-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8. The powerplant could find its way into the sedan in the same two output configurations as in the sports car, meaning there would be a GT4 with 469 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a GT4 S with a heftier 515 horses and 490 pound-feet.

However, there are rumors that Mercedes-AMG could go with a higher output, likely close to 600 horsepower. Achieving this shouldn’t be an issue given that the AMG GT R’s beefed-up V-8 cranks out a solid 577 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of twist. And given the kind of output cars like the Porsche Panamera Turbo and Aston Martin Rapide come with, a 600-horsepower Mercedes-AMG four-door is actually a very good idea.

Shifting duties will be handled by the same seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic known as the AMG Speedshift DCT. However, performance won’t be the same as the AMG GT’s, as the GT4’s longer chassis and extra bodywork will lower the 0-to-60 mph sprints in the four-second range. Specifically, while the AMG GT needs 3.7 and 3.9 seconds, respectively, the sedan would likely hit 60 mph in about 4.0 and 4.2 seconds. These figures would make the GT4 a strong competitor for both the Porsche Panamera GTS and the Aston Martin Rapide S. On the other hand, a 600-horsepower GT4 would be able to hit 60 mph in less than four ticks.

The hybrid will most likely get its juice from the new EQ Boost drivetrain unveiled with the latest CLS

A hybrid model is also likely, especially given the current market trends, and a diesel could also be in the books. If offered, the latter will most likely be sold in Europe only, so don’t expect it to cross the pond to the United States.

The hybrid will most likely get its juice from the new EQ Boost drivetrain unveiled with the latest CLS and then fitted in the Mercedes-AMG E53 models. The combo brings together a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gasoline engine and a starter/generator system. The gas engine cranks out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of twist, while the EQ Boost provides an additional 21 horses and 184 pound-feet over short periods. The drivetrain can deliver up to 383 horsepower and a whopping 553 pound-feet of torque and should make for a competitive based model. Of course, Mercedes-AMG can opt to increase output for the GT4 sedan.

Prices

It’s way too early to talk about pricing, but the GT4 should start from around $170,000 in the United States. For reference, the Mercedes-AMG GT S fetches $129,000 before options.

Competition

Redesigned for the 2017 model year, the Porsche Panamera is now sportier than ever, and its design incorporates even more 911 styling features. The cabin is loaded with state-of-the-art tech, and the driver is connected to the car via two seven-inch displays in the instrument cluster and a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen on the center stack. Drivetrain options are as varied as the get. The base model has a 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 325 horsepower and 332 pound-feet, while the Panamera 4S comes with 434 horses and 406 pound-feet on tap. The Turbo model uses a 4.0-liter V-8 with 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet and makes a great case for an AMG GT R version of the sedan. The new Panamera also comes with a diesel engine and two hybrid drivetrains. The range-topping Turbo S E-Hybrid cranks out a massive 671 horsepower and 627 pound-feet that Mercedes-Benz will have a difficult time competing with. Pricing starts from $85,000 and goes up to $150,000 before options for the Turbo models.

Launched in 2009 as a spiritual successor to the Aston Martin Lagonda and the company’s first sedan in 20 years, the Rapide is based on the DB9 and shares the same VH platform. Power comes from Aston’s ubiquitous 5.9-liter V-12 engine, tuned to deliver 552 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Although it’s the most powerful of the bunch, the Rapide S won’t be quicker than the AMG GT4 in its current specification. Its 203-mph top speed, on the other hand, places it above everything else in this niche. Inside, the Rapide S comes with Aston’s finest in terms of luxury and technology, although some might find its cabin design rather dated compared to the GT4’s. The British sedan isn’t cheap either, as it starts from $198,250 in the U.S. It’s safe to assume that Aston Martin will offer a new-generation Rapide soon, so AMG will get a lighter, faster, and more luxurious competitor.

Conclusion

While Mercedes-AMG has yet to specifically confirm this model in any way, it’s more than obvious that the GT4 is underway. At first glance, it might seem a bit strange to offer a four-door version of the AMG GT with an AMG-tuned CLS still around, but Mercedes is probably aiming for different dynamics here. While the CLS would go against certain version of the Panamera, the GT4 could arrive as a more hardcore version aimed at the beefed-up Porsches. We’ll never know until it happens, but given the current market trends, anything is possible at this point.

Love it

* Are you kidding?

* Strong engines with decent fuel economy

* Astoundingly fast sedans are never a bad idea

Leave it

* Release date uncertain

* Most details still under wraps

References

Rendering

If you’re working why the two renderings we made are so different, the explanation is very simple. We created the first image as soon as the AMG GT was out and the first rumors about a sedan surfaced, so it looks very similar to the sports car. And to be honest, an AMG GT with a longer wheelbase and four doors is as sexy as they get. But when the AMG GT Concept was unveiled in 2017, it became pretty clear that Mercedes-Benz is gunning for a more elegant, less aggressive look. The rendering on the left pictures just that, being heavily based on the latest concept car.

Update History

Update 12/29/2017: The Mercedes-AMG GT4 was caught doing some cold weather testing and playing in the snow. Check out the spy shots section below to get a fresh look at the upcoming sports sedan.

Updated 09/25/2017: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming AMG GT4 out for a new testing session and this time we can also take a look at the inside of the car.

Updated 08/22/2017: The upcoming Mercedes AMG GT4 was caught testing again, this time with more camouflage removed and revealing its fastback rear.

Updated 05/08/2017: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Mercedes AMG GT4 out for a first testing session. The car is expected to debut later this year or at the beginning of 2018.